MAC and Magpies player Lewis Marshall, 27, who is in his second season with MAC, pointed out both he and fellow utility back Ihaka Waerea are 100 per cent behind the fundraiser because they lost one of their former Hato Paora schoolmates, Chase Ngawati of Turangi, to cancer in 2014 at the age of 22.
He hoped the club day festivities marked the turning point in the team's Maddison Trophy campaign after three consecutive losses.
"I feel much better about our boys. We peaked in the Nash and hopefully we will peak again soon, but we know Clive are a good team too."
Waerea, 27, is in his seventh season with the MAC premiers and also coaches the club's 5th grade Rising Stars team.
"Our club and the Flaxmere community has lost so many people to cancer. I've got an aunty [Sandra Hereaka of Hastings] who is battling cancer and she's one of our MAC supporters."
He has heard the talk suggesting the team was always going to struggle after losing inspirational captain Everard Reid at the end of the Nash round to Poverty Bay so he can pursue New Zealand Heartland XV selection.
"That was a big blow to us but that's not the reason we're struggling. We've had guys out with injuries but they're back now and we've had a good week of training too."
Rugged No 8 Api Sione, 31, is in his fourth season with MAC and will play his 53rd match for the team today. This is his first season back after missing almost two seasons with a neck injury.
He is rapt to be playing against one of his former clubs on club day. Sione also knows he's in for a tough day at the office marking Clive's in-form Aussie loosie Lucas Goodin.
"I'm sure it will be a big day for both teams. Clive lost one of their stalwarts [Alan "Porky" Nisbet] to cancer earlier in the season," Sione said.
Tuliau said his club members have also seen what money raised for cancer can do - one of his team's assistant coaches, Viliamu Malaitai, has a five-year-old daughter, Sienna, who is a cancer survivor. "We're so grateful for all the people who have assisted with this fundraiser. One of our premier players, Jaamin Pere, did the training tops with help from Rick Miringaorangi from Napier Old Boys Marist ... it's awesome people from other clubs have got involved."
Waerea pointed out that the team's physio, Dave Kerr, sourced the pink socks from Britain.
"Dave had to because Kiwis don't make pink socks," Waerea quipped.
Tuliau said club stalwarts were thrilled to be supporting the fight against cancer in this manner.
"It's all part of changing our culture and getting the community behind us. When I took on the manager's role this season, I wanted to make changes and I knew everything wouldn't happen in one season, but we're getting there. People don't have to be MAC supporters to contribute to the cause," he added.
Like MAC, K9 Petfoods Clive have struggled to reproduce their Nash Cup form during the Maddison Trophy rounds to date. However, they should still be able to spoil MAC's club day celebrations with a nine point win.
Northfuels Central will also be in club day mode when they host Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Waipukurau's Central Park. Hastings are on the improve and are capable of a seven-point win.
Defending champions Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports should pip Progressive Meats Havelock North by six at Tamatea Park. The kicking duel between respective pivots, David Neilson and Dan Snee, is expected to play a big part in the outcome of this game.
HBI Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist have all the necessary ingredients to beat Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical by 19 at Whitmore Park and fellow joint leaders Carters Frame and Truss Taradale should win by 20 at least against Tamatea at Bill Mathewson Park.
